It was the start of a long, 14-hour day of rushed costume changes, intense dancing and locker rooms that smelled of hairspray, makeup and sweat.

On Feb. 11, more than 24 high schools from around the area competed at Monta Vista High School. The stands were filled to the rim with performers checking out the competition and parents nervously waiting for their children to perform.

They all cheered as the 10 girls on the SHS dance team walked out onto the gym floor, ready to compete.

This was the third and final regional competition, and it was much more difficult than the previous competitions because of the large number of teams. SHS placed third in hip hop, fifth in jazz and seventh in lyrical. A smaller group within the team, consisting of junior Caitlyn Chen and sophomores Francesca Chu, Alexandra Li, Chloe Peng and Amy Tang, placed fourth in the extra-small dance category.

“There were a lot of people at this competition, so I’m really proud of what we accomplished,” senior captain Caroline Li said.

At their second competition at Bella Vista on Feb. 4, the team placed third in jazz, fourth in lyrical and fourth in extra small. They were unable to compete hip hop due to complications with their music.

Even with their recent success, the team, which previously consisted of 11 members, faced an unforeseen difficulty when a member of the team quit the week before their first competition on Jan. 28 at Homestead.

However, they pushed through a strenuous week of reworking routines, and the hard work showed in the team’s four group dances and three solos.

The girls ended up placing third in hip hop, fourth in lyrical and fourth in jazz. The team’s extra-small group, placed fourth in their category.

It was the start of a long, 14-hour day of rushed costume changes, intense dancing and locker rooms that smelled of hairspray, makeup and sweat.

On Feb. 11, more than 24 high schools from around the area competed at Monta Vista High School. The stands were filled to the rim with performers checking out the competition and parents nervously waiting for their children to perform.

They all cheered as the 10 girls on the SHS dance team walked out onto the gym floor, ready to compete.

This was the third and final regional competition, and it was much more difficult than the previous competitions because of the large number of teams. SHS placed third in hip hop, fifth in jazz and seventh in lyrical. A smaller group within the team, consisting of junior Caitlyn Chen and sophomores Francesca Chu, Alexandra Li, Chloe Peng and Amy Tang, placed fourth in the extra-small dance category.

“There were a lot of people at this competition, so I’m really proud of what we accomplished,” senior captain Caroline Li said.

At their second competition at Bella Vista on Feb. 4, the team placed third in jazz, fourth in lyrical and fourth in extra small. They were unable to compete hip hop due to complications with their music.

Even with their recent success, the team, which previously consisted of 11 members, faced an unforeseen difficulty when a member of the team quit the week before their first competition on Jan. 28 at Homestead.

However, they pushed through a strenuous week of reworking routines, and the hard work showed in the team’s four group dances and three solos.

The girls ended up placing third in hip hop, fourth in lyrical and fourth in jazz. The team’s extra-small group, placed fourth in their category.

“I’m happy with how we did because it was the first time we  competed as a team, and we did the best we could considering the circumstances,” junior captain Chen said. “I’m confident that we will continue to grow as a team in the next few weeks.”

The team will be in Orlando from March 2-7 for Nationals, their toughest competition of all, and the girls are looking forward to the challenge.

“Teams from all over the country will be there, and it can be intimidating for a small team from Saratoga, but I believe in this team and I hope we will come home with a trophy,” Chen said.“I’m happy with how we did because it was the first time we  competed as a team, and we did the best we could considering the circumstances,” junior captain Chen said. “I’m confident that we will continue to grow as a team in the next few weeks.”

The team will be in Orlando from March 2-7 for Nationals, their toughest competition of all, and the girls are looking forward to the challenge.

“Teams from all over the country will be there, and it can be intimidating for a small team from Saratoga, but I believe in this team and I hope we will come home with a trophy,” Chen said.